If it happens (a big if, I admit), does Bergevin go after Lecavalier if he is bought out? The idea is being bandied about in Tampa. Thoughts?

Looking at the long term health of the club, josh gorges would have been the more responsible buyout, from a cap/on ice value perspective. But I guess that wouldn't have gone over well in the room.
- DoubleDown

Why would you suggest that Gorges should be the one to go? He is a heart and soul kinda player and those are few and far between and come in awfully handy in the playoffs.

Why would you suggest that Gorges should be the one to go? He is a heart and soul kinda player and those are few and far between and come in awfully handy in the playoffs.
- MadManPaddy

Gorges is a million a year overpaid.

Over the last four seasons, Tomas Plekanec ranks fifth among all centres in ice time, playing in all situations, with a decidedly defensive focus, based on zone starts and matchups, compared to some of the other big-minute centres in the league. At the same time, over the last four years, his 212 points ranks 18th among centres, so he's a very effective two-way performer.
tsn.ca

Plek is a core player that shouldn't be traded... he should finish his career in mtl...

Give him real 1st line wingers to play with !

Gorges is a million a year overpaid.
- hon_hon_hon

I can live with that.

Plek is a core player that shouldn't be traded... he should finish his career in mtl...

Give him real 1st line wingers to play with !
- WaterBoy

Totally agree. Plekanec's work ethic and low maintenance attitude is something Bergevin and Coach Therrien can rely on. He's teaching kids on the team how to be professional and his numbers aren't bad at all.

Hopefully, a kid (Eller or Galchenyuk) will soon be able to grab the #1 center spot on the team and Pleky will be "relegated" to 2nd line where he'll be fully effective.

Totally agree. Plekanec's work ethic and low maintenance attitude is something Bergevin and Coach Therrien can rely on. He's teaching kids on the team how to be professional and his numbers aren't bad at all.

Hopefully, a kid (Eller or Galchenyuk) will soon be able to grab the #1 center spot on the team and Pleky will be "relegated" to 2nd line where he'll be fully effective.
- kameroski

I think #27 will slowly take over a top 6 role.

I would trade Eller for a winger.

I'd rather have a shut down 3rd line center with size and grit.

Trade Subban! He just won the Norris which technically makes him better than Doughty, so you are looking at a 7 million dollar dman after next season. With two good Dmen in the system and a servicable markov, trade Subban to move up into the top 10 and get a star player back!

Looking at the long term health of the club, josh gorges would have been the more responsible buyout, from a cap/on ice value perspective. But I guess that wouldn't have gone over well in the room.
- DoubleDown

He had a bad season but is easily a 3-3.5M cap hit player. Not worth it for less than $1M savings, especially with no one else like him on our team right now.

I think #27 will slowly take over a top 6 role.

I would trade Eller for a winger.

I'd rather have a shut down 3rd line center with size and grit.
- WaterBoy

Jesus, he'd better. If he doesn't become a 1st line player he will be viewed as a disappointment IMO.

Having Plek/Eller in the third line spot would indicate great depth and rounded scoring a la Bruins and is not a bad problem to have. I agree more physicality in the centers would be nice but Bergeron/Krecji/Peverly(?) isn't big or physical. And yes, I know the rest of the team is so lets focus on that more so than just centers.

If it happens (a big if, I admit), does Bergevin go after Lecavalier if he is bought out? The idea is being bandied about in Tampa. Thoughts?
- MadManPaddy

Yes. Of course he does. But Vinny likely wouldn't come here. He is a Floridian now.

Jesus, he'd better. If he doesn't become a 1st line player he will be viewed as a disappointment IMO.

Having Plek/Eller in the third line spot would indicate great depth and rounded scoring a la Bruins and is not a bad problem to have. I agree more physicality in the centers would be nice but Bergeron/Krecji/Peverly(?) isn't big or physical. And yes, I know the rest of the team is so lets focus on that more so than just centers.
- muffin_man

Plek is not a 3rd line player yet... and I'd say for another 3-4 years minimum. I think with 1st line winger that he can provide first line numbers ( not super star numbers). in 2-3 years from now, he should be a perfect 2nd line center... and eventually with age, his production will dip below 60 points per year to probably 40... and a 3rd line role would be welcomed..

I agree that we dont need big centers... but if so, please give our centers wingers with size.

I'd love to see a plyer like Handzus on our team as a 3rd line center. Big, responsible smart hockey player

Plek is not a 3rd line player yet... and I'd say for another 3-4 years minimum. I think with 1st line winger that he can provide first line numbers ( not super star numbers). in 2-3 years from now, he should be a perfect 2nd line center... and eventually with age, his production will dip below 60 points per year to probably 40... and a 3rd line role would be welcomed..

I agree that we dont need big centers... but if so, please give our centers wingers with size.

I'd love to see a plyer like Handzus on our team as a 3rd line center. Big, responsible smart hockey player
- WaterBoy

Oh I fully agree but Plek in a 3rd line role means our team is in great shape

Zeus is too old but I agree with the idea.

Gorges is a million a year overpaid.
- hon_hon_hon

Seriously? His cap hit isn't big at all. I thought he was worth every penny he makes.

Seriously? His cap hit isn't big at all. I thought he was worth every penny he makes.
- Orpik44

He didn't have a very good year. Habs fans always whine...

Habs could use Markov to move into a top 10 selection. Anything else, and I think they hold on to him until the deadline. If they are trying to move into the 11-20 range, then perhaps they could package Gionta+pick 25?
- kev1586

I think you're aiming a little high with Markov's unfortunate history of significant injuries.

He didn't have a very good year. Habs fans always whine...
- Symba007

If you want to send him to Pittsburgh, I'll be happy

Letang/Kennedy for Gallagher/Gorges/1st Rounf Pick.

I think #27 will slowly take over a top 6 role.

I would trade Eller for a winger.

I'd rather have a shut down 3rd line center with size and grit.
- WaterBoy

i like the fact that a fellow rookie in Gallagher is pushing him, no way he's gonna let himself keep getting outshined by the later pick haha, this kind of competition should help quicken his development too imo

i like the fact that a fellow rookie in Gallagher is pushing him, no way he's gonna let himself keep getting outshined by the later pick haha, this kind of competition should help quicken his development too imo
- Habitants98

There's no rush and I'm quite sure #27 doesn't need #11 to motivate him.

If you want to send him to Pittsburgh, I'll be happy

Letang/Kennedy for Gallagher/Gorges/1st Rounf Pick.
- Orpik44

Yeah...no thanks. Habs will just sign Letang next summer when he will be UFA

Yeah...no thanks. Habs will just sign Letang next summer when he will be UFA
- Symba007

But Hadam says no !

I think you're aiming a little high with Markov's unfortunate history of significant injuries.
- Domidives

Depends who's talking to Bergevin. For example, Edmonton and Philadelphia would probably entertain an offer that ressembles Markov + 25th for the 7th or 11th. Heck, maybe even Carolina bites on that offer.

If Bergevin is trying to talk with Buffalo or Dallas, then he's out to lunch. Really depends who top draft target is and how low Timmins thinks he can get him.

Depends who's talking to Bergevin. For example, Edmonton and Philadelphia would probably entertain an offer that ressembles Markov + 25th for the 7th or 11th. Heck, maybe even Carolina bites on that offer.

If Bergevin is trying to talk with Buffalo or Dallas, then he's out to lunch. Really depends who top draft target is and how low Timmins thinks he can get him.
- kev1586

Not gonna happen.

Not gonna happen.
- WaterBoy

yup.

i like the fact that a fellow rookie in Gallagher is pushing him, no way he's gonna let himself keep getting outshined by the later pick haha, this kind of competition should help quicken his development too imo
- Habitants98

Galchenyuk was drafted last summer; Gallagher in 2010. There's quite a difference there.